Young Catholics

Youth Ministry, Vacation Bible School (VBS), and Family Resources

Activities

Toothpick Sculptures, Models, or Constructions

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Hands on activities are fun for youth ministry or Vacation Bible School (VBS). One way to incorporate a fun activity is to have students make toothpick sculptures or models to represent your theme.

This activity can be done in small groups or individually.

Get ideas for toothpick buildings

Toothpick Sculptures, Buildings, Models, or Constructions

If you don't have a specific idea related to your meeting, have them construct the tallest tower possible, a mountain, a house, or a church.
Prep Time 5 mins
Active Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Keyword crafts
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Ingredients
  

Non-edible ingredients

  • toothpicks
  • modeling clay
  • model magic
  • play dough

Edible ingredients

  • miniature marshmallows
  • gumdrops
  • grapes
  • soft nuts if there are no allergies
  • apple cut into small cubes
  • small pretzel sticks
  • cheese cubes
  • thick frosting dyed different colors
  • royal icing

Instructions
 

  • Give the youth a general theme for what they should create which is related to the meeting theme or just make a generic structure.
  • Give them a set amount of time to work on their construction, such as 10 minutes.
  • At the end of their time, let them show their sculpture and describe it.
  • If appropriate, they can eat leftover construction materials, except for the toothpicks of course! 🙂
Tried this idea?Let us know how it was!

#stem #building

Cork Ship in a Bottle Craft for VBS or Youth Ministry

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This is a simple ship in a bottle craft, not the type that takes days and days. It is easy to make. The kids can take it home and use it as a centerpiece for any nautical themed Vacation Bible School or youth group meeting.

If you want to include a quote with it, this one is appropriate:

The world’s thy ship and not thy home.

St. Therese of Lisieux

Blank corks in bulk

Ship in a Bottle Craft

My picture taking skills are not the best, but you can see some photos of some of these steps at the bottom.
Active Time 15 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Keyword crafts
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Equipment

  • Scissors
  • markers

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Line up the three corks and put a piece of tape across them to keep them from slipping around. (You can remove this later if you want, but it won’t show.)
  • Cut a piece of twine and tie it around the bodies of the corks.
  • Tie two more pieces of twine the other way, in the spaces between the corks. (See photo) This will make the first piece of twine hold the corks tighter.
  • Take the toothpick and press it into the middle cork to make a hole for the mast.
  • Cut a small piece of construction paper into a triangular shape for the sail.
  • If you want, you can decorate the sail with Christian symbols, a phrase, or any way you like.
  • Use the toothpick to punch two holes for the mast. (See photo)
  • Thread the sail onto the mast.
  • Insert the mast back into the middle cork.
  • Put some stones in the bottom of the mason jar and add some water.
  • Gently place the ship in the jar.
  • Put the lid on.

Notes

Tried this idea?Let us know how it was!

#VBS #CatholicYM #YouthMinistry #churchcamp

How Good Are Your Survival Skills? Youth Group Game

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This game asks teens to consider how long they could survive in the case of a disaster. Use it as a lead in to a meeting about how we cannot survive without the help of Jesus. We won’t last long if we try to go it alone.

In this game, youth are asked to choose what they would take with them in a survival situation. At the end, they use their choices to determine how long they would survive.

Printable copy of How Good Are Your Survival Skills? Youth Ministry GameDownload

Learn about this young Catholc blessed who loved a good adventure

How Good Are Your Survival Skills? Youth Ministry Game

Give each youth a survival worksheet and a pencil. Explain to them that disaster has struck. Maybe it is a flood of Biblical proportions or a plague like in the Book of Exodus or the zombie apocalypse has finally come. You need to leave home and head to somewhere safer. You will be traveling on foot for at least two weeks.

They have a few minutes to gather what they need to get by. Tell them that you are going to give them some choices for what they would take with them in various categories in a survival situation. They should mark their choices on the sheet.

If your time is limited, don’t use all of the categories.

(There are some graphics for you to project or print. Right click to save them.)

Water (choose two)

  1. Six bottles of water
  2. Water purifying tablets to use with stream water so it doesn’t make you sick
  3. One large empty water container
  4. A hydration backpack with 1 gallon of water

Food (choose two)

  1. 2 pounds of dried beans
  2. A fishing pole
  3. A box of Twinkies
  4. A box of granola bars

Shelter (Choose one)

  1. 100 feet of paracord
  2. A hatchet
  3. A small tent
  4. A tarp

Safety (Choose two)

  1. A first aid kit
  2. Matches
  3. A fire stick
  4. A Swiss army knife

Comfort (Choose one)

  1. A small cooking pot
  2. A spare set of underwear
  3. Bug spray
  4. A sleeping bag

Total your points based on what you chose:

Water Points

  1. Six bottles of water
    • + 2 points
    • These save you time, but they are a little heavy to carry. And they will not provide enough water for long
  2. Water purifying tablets to use with stream water so it doesn’t make you sick
    • + 5 points
    • Sure river water tastes weird, but these will let you fill up along the way, providing a long term solution
  3. One large empty water container
    • + 1 points
    • This will be handy to have and you can fill up on water when you find it. But, if you can’t find a faucet you will need to purify the water or boil it before drinking
  4. A hydration backpack with 1 gallon of water
    • + 2 points
    • This is a handy way to carry your water with you, although it is not as large as the empty container will be. But, you are starting off with a drinking supply.

Food Points

  1. 2 pounds of dried beans
    • + 5 points if you brought a cooking pot and a method to start fire
    • These are a great energy source and easy to carry, but only if you can cook them.
  2. A fishing pole
    • + 3 points if you have ever caught a fish
    • Fishing is a good source of calories, but catching one isn’t as easy as you might think. And if you can’t start a fire, you are going to be eating sushi.
  3. A box of Twinkies
    • + 1 point
    • OK, it’s not the best food source, but it will give you and energy boost and maybe since the world is falling apart you are going to need some comfort.
  4. A box of granola bars
    • + 3 points
    • A good choice for the end of the world as we know it.

Shelter Points

  1. 100 feet of paracord
    • + 3 points
    • Paracord can be used to tie some branches together to shelter you from the elements and has many other uses
  2. A hatchet
    • + 5 points
    • You can cut small trees and evergreen branches and make a lean-to
  3. A small tent
    • + 5 points
    • It’s hard to beat a tent for shelter, provided you know how to set it up
  4. A tarp
    • + 3 points
    • You can wrap up in it like a blanket and if you don’t have a tent then it will keep the rain off of you if you make a lean-to.

Safety Points

  1. A first aid kit
    • + 5 points
    • You are going to need this when you cut yourself with your hatchet.
  2. Matches
    • + 3 points if you have ever started a fire
    • A fire will keep you warm and comfortable.
  3. A fire stick
    • + 5 points IF you have ever started a fire using a fire stick
    • Using flint and steel takes some practice, so don’t choose this if you don’t know how to use it.
  4. A Swiss army knife
    • + 3 points
    • So many little tools. So many uses….

Comfort Points

  1. A small cooking pot
    • + 5 points IF you have a way to start a fire.
    • This will let you boil water you collect. And if you are scavenging for food, it will taste better cooked.
  2. A spare set of underwear
    • + 3 points
    • Yep. This will make you feel better for sure.
  3. Bug spray
    • + 2 points
    • If bugs drive you crazy, you’re going to want this one
  4. A sleeping bag
    • + 4 points
    • Comfy and cozy. And if your shelter plans don’t work out, at least you can curl up in your sleeping bag.

Total your points

  • Less than 10 points: You are totally unprepared. You’re not going to last the first night
  • 10 to 19 points: That’s a good attempt, but after a few days you are going to be in trouble
  • 20 to 29 points: Not bad. Make some friends along the way and help each other out and you might just get by.
  • 30 or more points: Good job! Use your skills to help others who are in trouble. Look around. Your friends are going to need you!

#survival

Glow in the Dark Sidewalk Chalk

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Glow in the dark sidewalk chalk is a fun addition to an nighttime activity. You can use it to welcome youth to the event, write inspirational messages, or let your participants have a creative outlet.

Use it for any activity where there the chalk will be dark enough to glow. This is especially appropriate for any “light” themed youth ministry meeting. For example

  • Let your light shine
  • GLOW (God Lights Our Way)
  • Light from darkness (creation)
  • Jesus Christ Light of the World (salvation)
Get a set of luminous chalk

Glow in the Dark Sidewalk Chalk

Have some night time fun by making glow in the dark sidewalk chalk.
Keyword crafts, Youth Ministry
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Equipment

  • Ice cube trays or other molds
  • Bowl or container for mixing

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Mix the Plaster of Paris and water in a bowl.
  • Add a few squirts of the paint and mix.
  • Coat the inside of the molds with a very thin layer of petroleum jelly or oil.
  • Divide the mixture into the molds.
  • Let dry overnight.
  • Pop the chalk from the molds. (This might be easier if you stick it in the freezer for 15 or 20 minutes first.
  • Activate the florescence by putting the chalk in the light before using.
  • Write on your sidewalk.

Notes

The bowl or container you use might get ruined, so something you are going to recycle is suggested.
Tried this idea?Let us know how it was!

#crafts #sidewalk

Sea Slime (for VBS or Youth Ministry)

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Slime is easy to make and fun for kids to play with. Mix up a batch of sea slime for your ocean themed Vacation Bible School or youth group meeting.

Slime is fun for youth to play with. They can stretch it and pull it and let it ooze through their fingers. It can be just a fun sensory experience for them or you can incorporate it into your lesson. Here are some examples:

  • Trust in God when life is messy
  • Rely on God when you feel stretched
  • When you are covered in sin, let God clean you up (reconciliation)

Consider being environmentally friendly and using biodegradable glitter. You can use whichever colors of glitter you like. Try mixing different shapes and sizes of glitter too. You can also add small shells or other “treasures”.

Sea Slime Recipe

More crafts for VBS or youth ministry

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Pour the glue into a bowl.
  2. Gradually add the slime activatior, mixing with your hand.
  3. Mix in the glitter.
  4. Play with it right away or put it in a mason jar for later or to take home

#VBS #catechist #YouthMinistry

The Holy Spirit Is Like the Wind (Kite Activity)

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This activity is to show children how the Holy Spirit is like the wind. We can’t see the Holy Spirit directly, but we can see the work of the Spirit.

You will need one or more kites and an outdoor location to fly them.

The Holy Spirit Is Like the Wind Kite Activity

Explain that the Holy Spirit is compared to the wind in scripture:

The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. – John 3:8

More springtime activity ideas

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Acts 2:2-4

Name some things which show the effects of the wind:

  • tree branches
  • flags
  • laundry on a line
  • leaves
  • windmills
  • kites

Go fly a kite. Let each youth take turns flying if necessary. Then follow up with these questions.

  • Could you feel the wind pulling on the kite?
  • How this can be like the Holy Spirit pulling you in a certain direction?
  • If you did not pay attention to the way the wind was pulling, what happened? (Usually the kite falls if you pull the wrong way.)
  • Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit pulling you to do something?

#HolySpirit #HolyGhost #kites #windy